HB1029 Relative to the definition of excavation under underground utility damage prevention laws.
Relative to the definition of excavation under underground utility damage prevention laws.
Impact Score — How Does This Bill Affect You?
Overall Impact Score
Mixed
Scale: 1 (harmful) to 10 (beneficial)
Your Wallet
Homeowners and landscapers performing small-scale planting and irrigation work avoid costs and delays associated with utility locating notifications.
Your Community
No stated impact on schools, local services, or community-level infrastructure.
Your Freedom
Residents gain practical freedom to perform minor yard work without regulatory compliance procedures, though underlying utility damage risks remain unchanged.
Status
Inexpedient to Legislate: Motion Adopted Voice Vote 02/05/2026 House Journal 3 P. 19
Sponsor
Brian Labrie (R)
The Short Version
This bill narrows what counts as 'excavation' under NH's underground utility damage prevention laws by exempting hand-planting of small flowers and shrubs (up to 3-gallon pots) and shallow hand-dug irrigation repairs. This reduces the number of activities requiring utility locating notifications before digging.
Who's Behind This Bill?
Who Benefits
- ▲ Homeowners planting flowers and small shrubs in residential gardens
- ▲ Landscapers performing hand-planting and shallow irrigation repairs
- ▲ Residents maintaining their own yards with non-mechanized equipment
Who Pays the Price
- ▼ Potentially utility companies and residents in cases where small-scale excavation damages underground utilities that would have been located under prior rules
Bill statuses as of October 7, 2026. Check LegiScan or NH General Court for the latest.
This bill was auto-scored using AI analysis of the bill text and legislative data. Scores may be refined as we review more bills.